Researchers at Google have warned that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could crack Bitcoin‘s core cryptographic protections in under nine minutes. The finding has intensified concerns within the cryptocurrency community about how soon such a threat could become real. Scientists suggest this capability could emerge as early as 2029, leaving limited time for the network to adapt.
In response, Bitcoin developers are actively exploring several lines of defense to protect the network against quantum attacks. One proposal, known as BIP 360, involves removing on-chain public keys, which are currently a point of vulnerability. Eliminating their exposure would make it significantly harder for a quantum computer to derive private keys and seize funds.
Another approach under consideration involves adopting hash-based post-quantum signature schemes, with SPHINCS+ among the leading candidates. Unlike traditional cryptographic methods, hash-based signatures are considered resistant to the computational power that quantum machines could bring to bear. Developers are also examining a commit/reveal scheme designed to shield transactions while they sit in the mempool, the waiting area before they are confirmed on the blockchain.
A separate proposal called Hourglass V2 takes a different approach by targeting bitcoins that are already considered exposed. The scheme would deliberately slow the process of spending approximately 1.7 million bitcoins held in vulnerable addresses, buying time for the network to implement broader protections. Among the coins potentially affected are those belonging to Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, whose holdings have remained untouched for years.
Despite the urgency suggested by the research, any changes to Bitcoin’s protocol face significant hurdles. Bitcoin operates under a decentralized governance model, meaning no single authority can mandate upgrades. Proposals must achieve broad consensus among developers, miners, and node operators, a process that has historically been slow and contentious. The combination of technical complexity and governance challenges means that even well-supported proposals can take years to implement.
The debate reflects a broader tension in the Bitcoin community between preserving the network’s foundational principles and adapting to emerging technological threats. Supporters of rapid action argue that waiting too long could expose billions of dollars in holdings to theft if quantum computing advances faster than expected. Others caution that rushed changes carry their own risks and could introduce new vulnerabilities or fracture community consensus. The outcome of these discussions will likely shape Bitcoin’s security architecture for years to come.
Originally reported by CoinDesk.
